Recently the Kapiti School Ukulele Group performed at the local mall known as Coastlands, and one of the songs they played was ‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer’. So on Monday some of the group members recorded Rudolph on video to share. The boys have been playing for eight months now have have become very proficient players. View ‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer’ below.

My son, Carter, goes to Chelsea House Early Childhood Centre in Raumati, and this week I visited my son’s centre to listen to him and his peers singing Christmas carols. I should have hidden from view of my son, as he wanted to spend his time with me instead of participating. My son is only three, so being strategic I pretended to go to the toilet so that I could watch out of his sight.

My son’s class teachers from room 5, Trish, Tracey and Charlotte and his class peers performed three songs:

Twinkle Little Star

I’m a Christmas Tree and

In the Jungle.

His teachers Trish and Tracey played ukuleles and Charlotte supported the kids with encouragement and actions. They all did a super job and all parents who turned up to watch thoroughly enjoyed it. It was great to see the ukulele being used.

The use of ukuleles being used by Chelsea House staff came about through staff interest in learning to play. So earlier this year staff were provided lessons by Jeff Gardiner, organised by Yvonne the Chelsea House Centre Director. I was lucky enough to be invited to come and watch a staff performance at the conclusion of their lessons. It was very good with a wide range of songs played.

This is just another example of kids being exposed to the wonderful instrument that is the ukulele.

We feature a fellow kid ukulele player across the ditch (the gap between New Zealand and Australia) in Tasmania (part of Australia). Her name is Jemimah and she is 12 years old. She is playing ‘When you wore a tulip’, by Jack Mahoney and Percy Weinrich written in 1914. I’m sure you’ll agree that she does a great job, and dad’s not too bad at singing either 😉

One of the ways to improve your ukulele playing is to play in front of others. Nobody wants to play their ukulele badly when playing to an audience. So here are ten good reasons, in no particular order, to play for others as suggested by kids:

It provides an incentive to practise.

You can tell if your playing was good by the applause you receive. If you get a standing ovation – wow!

It can make your playing more popular

It boosts your self esteem

It makes you look cool

It can give you a bigger profile

A talent scout may pick you up

Your confidence improves

You inspire others to play

You do it for the pleasure of sharing.

On Thursday the Kapiti Primary School senior and junior ukulele groups performed a range of songs at Coastlands Shopping Mall, Paraparaumu, New Zealand. The kids had a good time and a new audience to applaud them. They enjoyed playing and loved the ice-blocks they got at the end (REASON 11). View the photos of them performing below.

Haere Mai is a Maori song of welcome, performed by the Kapiti School Junior Ukulele Group. They have been taught by my colleague Richard Bamlett. I’m sure you’ll agree they do a great job. Watch them perform it by viewing the video below.